E3 2015: PlayStation Vue Launches in LA and San Francisco

16. Jun, 2015

Sony Network Entertainment International yesterday evening announced PlayStation Vue has launched in Los Angeles and San Francisco as expansion of the PS3 and PS4 app alternative to cable and over-the-air television reception continues.

From the press release:

“We’re pleased to expand PlayStation Vue’s packages to two additional major TV markets, representing the first time consumers on the West Coast will have access to their favorite live and catch-up TV content, as well as cloud DVR with unlimited capacity,” said Dwayne Benefield, vice president, head of PlayStation Vue at SNEI. “We are seeing strong engagement from PlayStation fans in the three cities where we initially launched, and the introduction of a-la-carte channels nationwide provides viewers even greater choice and flexibility.”

PlayStation Vue offers live local programming so viewers can catch up on local broadcast news or watch their favorite local sports teams in action. PlayStation Vue in the Los Angeles and San Francisco markets will offer users up to 85 channels per market through three existing subscription packages (Access, Core, or Elite) that range from $49.99 to $69.99 per month with no long-term commitment.

PlayStation Vue will be the first pay-TV service to allow users to subscribe to individual channels without requiring the purchase of a multi-channel package. PlayStation Vue’s initial a-la-carte offering will launch nationwide this summer with the following networks.

SHOWTIME will be available directly through PlayStation Vue for $10.99 a month starting in July – just in time for the season premiere of Ray Donovan. For PlayStation Plus members, the monthly subscription will be available for just $8.99. All subscribers will receive a 30-day free trial. PlayStation Vue users will be able to enjoy SHOWTIME’s award-winning lineup of original programs, uncut Hollywood movies, documentaries, comedy specials and latest sporting events. PlayStation Vue subscribers to Showtime’s a-la-carte service will also be able to access Showtime Anytime on many other devices, including those powered by iOS and Android.
FOX Soccer Plus will be available directly to consumers through PlayStation Vue for $14.99 per month, starting in August to coincide with major UEFA Champions League matches. For PlayStation Plus members, the price will be $12.99. All subscribers will receive a 7-day free trial. With FOX Soccer Plus, viewers can access exclusive match content from the most prominent and highest profile soccer competitions in the world.
Machinima, the most dominant programming service for gamer culture and fandom, will debut their first premium TV channel on PlayStation Vue, including exclusive content from Machinima’s in house studio. The Machinima channel will be available later this summer as part of PlayStation Vue’s Elite multi-channel package, or as an a-la-carte offering for $3.99 per month. For PlayStation Plus members, the price is $1.99 a month. All subscribers will get a free 7-day trial to Machinima, which features original content, including daily news and entertainment shows, new gameplay and original scripted animation and comedy series, along with hundreds of hours of the best content curated from the Machinima network.
About PlayStation Vue
PlayStation Vue is a pioneering cloud-based TV service that reinvents the television experience. PlayStation Vue streams live, catch-up and cloud DVR TV content over the internet without a cable or satellite subscription to PS4 and PS3 owners. Users with an active PlayStation Vue subscription can also access content on iPad®, with other popular streaming devices coming soon. In addition to a nationwide a-la-carte offering of SHOWTIME, FOX Soccer Plus and Machinima, PlayStation Vue offers viewers a robust multi-channel package of popular networks and channels in the New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, San Francisco, and Philadelphia TV markets. Network partners include CBS, Fox, NBC Universal, AMC Networks, Discovery Communications, Scripps Networks Interactive, Turner Broadcasting and Viacom.